The Muslim beliefs overview

The Muslim Beliefs: Doctrines of IslamGod: He is numerically and absolutely one. God is beyond the understanding of man so that only His will may be revealed and known. He is confessed as the ―merciful and compassionate one.

Sin: The most serious sin that can be ascribed to people is that of – shirk‖ or considering God as more than one. Original sin is viewed as a – lapse‖ by Adam. The fallen nature of humankind is not endorsed by Islam. Humankind is considered weak and forgetful but not as fallen.

Angels: Islam affirms the reality of angels as messengers and agents of God. Evil spirits or Jinn also exist.
Satan is a fallen angel. Angels perform important functions for God both now and at the end of time.

Final Judgment: The world will be judged at the end of time by God. The good deeds and obedience of all people to the five pillars and the Qur‘an will serve as the basis of judgment.

Salvation: It is determined by faith, as defined by Islam, as well as by compiling good deeds primarily inconformity to the five pillars. However, Kisma plays a major role in the salvation of the Muslim (Kisma mainly means lot). So Allah is the ultimate one who decides if you will go to paradise or to hell. He has even assigned people from the beginning to go to either, and they can do nothing about it. So your Kisma or lot can fall in hell or in paradise and Allah is the only one who knows.

Marriage: Muslims uphold marriage as honorable and condemn adultery. Marriage is a religious command that every Muslim needs to complete. Many Muslim groups consider it (completing half of the religion). A man is allowed as many as four wives. Men consider a woman as less than an equal, and while a man has the right to divorce his wife, the wife has no similar power (see Surah 2:228; 4:34). Nonetheless, the female has a right to own and dispose of property. Modesty in dress is encouraged for both men and women.

War: The term jihad or ―struggle‖ is often considered as both external and internal, both a physical and spiritual struggle. The enemies of Islam or ―idolaters,”states the Qur‘an, may be slain ―wherever you find them” (Surah 9:5.) (See Surah 47:4.) Paradise is promised for those who die fighting in the cause of Islam (see Surah 3:195; 2:244).

Diet and Food: Muslim dietary codes forbid the eating of pork and the use of intoxicating drinks. Other meats may be eaten from animals slaughtered by devout Muslims.

The theory of the three houses
The Muslim community (umma) defines itself as ‗the house of peace‘, dar al-silm. Non-Muslim nations fall under two categories: either the house of war‘, dar al-harb, if they are hostile to the Muslim community, or the house of covenant‘, dar al-‘ahd, if they have come to an agreement to live in peace with the Muslim community. Muslims relate to non-Muslims accordingly, i.e. depending on their attitude towards Islam and Muslims.